Here's how the 3aaa's collapse is affecting its apprentices

'Uncertain time for employees and apprentices'

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “This is very bad news both for the employees and apprentices who now face real uncertainty and a difficult time here in Derby and across the country. The Derby business community is second to none in supporting the wider community interest and I’m sure,once more is known, that roles will become available for many of those affected.”

John Forkin addressing 400 business leaders at Derby Theatre

16:39KEY EVENT

People have been asking about the 3aaa cricket ground

Loads of people have taken to social media to ask what will happen to the sponsorship deal between 3aaa and Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which sees the cricket ground named after the company?

Derbyshire Live asked the question on their behalf but so far has received no response from the club.

Peter Marples, co-founder of 3aaa, has resigned his position as chairman of the Spencer Academies Trust, which he joined as a director in 2015. The trust sponsors 12 schools including John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall and Wyndham primary School in Alvaston.

A spokesman for the Spencer Academies Trust said: ““The directors of the Spencer Academies Trust have accepted the resignation of Peter Marples as a director and chairman of the board.

“The Spencer Academies Trust is an education charity constituted for the purposes of advancing the opportunity of children and young people across the East Midlands

“Vice chair Donna Kinderman will assume Mr Marples’ board responsibilities in the role of interim chair. Mrs Kinderman is a safeguarding and child development practitioner with over twenty years’ experience of working with local schools.

“We will not be commenting further.”

3aaa founder Peter Marples

15:26

Special Facebook group set up for 3aaa apprentices

Patrick Cantellow wants to ask the Department for Education questions on behalf of people caught up in the 3aaa problems and so he is encouraging them to contact him on social media.

He said: “It is a real shame to see 3aaa go as the staff at the training centres had a real passion to upskill communities across the UK.”

15:21

Some people are sorry to see 3aaa cease trading

15:13KEY EVENT

Former 3aaa employee said he is not shocked by the latest developments at the company

A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was at the company for around two years and that he sees the the move by the Department for Education in referring its recent investigation to the police via Action Fraud “as a positive step”.

He said: “My thoughts are with hundreds of dedicated, talented and passionate staff who have been made redundant and who don’t know how they will pay next month’s mortgage or rent.

“I am confident that the specialist team set up by the Department for Education will help the learners to be signed to new apprenticeship providers.”

Aspire Achieve Advance is based at Aspire House (Image: Derby Telegraph)

15:03

Another East Midlands training provider steps forward to offer help

CT Skills has been in touch to say it has set up a hotline* for 3aaa employees, learners and employers to contact. Chief executive Alex Ford said: “We know there are very many good people at 3aaa. We know that these good people are NOT the cause of 3aaa entering into administration.”

The CT Skills helpline is 0115 951 7261

* This is not an official DfE hotline.

14:50KEY EVENT

Another apprentice who no longer has a training provider

Rhys Hickman, 26, is luckier than some apprentices because he still has a job with an accountancy firm. But up until Thursday afternoon at 3pm, he also had a level four apprenticeship, which he one day a week at 3aaa in Sitwell Street. He said: “Our tutor was called away and ten minutes later came back with the news that we were to go home because 3aaa was “no more”.

“Everyone was pretty upset about it and it came totally out of the blue for everyone. Only last week, my employer was told by email that everything was on track, despite speculation in the media about the company.

“I am lucky because my employer will help me to find another provider. It won’t be the same because I had a good relationship with my tutor and mentor, which has now ended very abruptly.”

Rhys Hickman, former 3aaa apprentice (Image: Rhys Hickman)

13:49

Social media messages are being posted from across the country from different people involved in the company

13:45

This apprentice has been left bemused by the 3aaa situation

13:35

Is there likely to be any further statements from the 3aaa management?

It seems extremely unlikely. They issued a statement yesterday which ended: “In these extreme circumstances, the directors have no option but to take this course of action following this Education and Skills Funding agency decision (to withdraw funding).”

But today a spokesman for the company confirmed there would be no further statements.

No-one will be paid for the work they have done for the first 11 days of October - claim

Former apprentice Josh Alvey, 19, revealed that people were told about 3aaa going into administration and that they would not get paid for the work they had done in October.

He said: “We all have debts and bills, so that was a real shock to everyone. We are hoping that the administration process may see us get the money we are due. But like getting another apprenticeship or job, it’s all a waiting game.”

13:03

Josh Alvey has spent the past 24 hours looking for a new apprenticeship and a job

Days after being reassured that everything was fine at 3aaa, staff and apprenticeships at the Sitwell Street headquarters were taken into a meeting room at 3pm and told the bad news that the company had gone into administration.

Former 3aaa apprentice Josh Alvey is out of work (Image: Josh Alvey)

Data processor Josh Alvey, 19, who was at level four in his apprenticeship, said: “It was a real shock to everyone and we heard the news at the same time as everyone in the company across the country. There was stunned silence because everyone was so shocked.

“Then the reality set in and everyone was very upset about the situation. Now I am looking for something else as soon as possible.”

12:54KEY EVENT

Former apprentice expresses his surprise at what has happened

Content marketing manager Izaak Crook contacted Derbyshire Live to say he was shocked to hear about 3aaa, where he spent two years as an apprentice and where he kickstarted his career.

He said: “Whilst at times I felt there was some miscommunication between employers, the academy and myself during my time under their tuition - the thing that always stood out to me was how trainers went out of their way to help me and my peers get the most out of our apprenticeships. It’s sad to see it all fall apart like this in a way that seems quite sudden from the outside looking in.”

Aspire Achieve Advance is based at Aspire House (Image: Derby Telegraph)

12:41

Derbyshire police comment on the 3aaa situation

Action Fraud said it was unable to comment on the 3aaa situation but it appears that the police organisation has been liaising with Derbyshire police, whose spokesman said: “Derbyshire Constabulary has received a referral from Action Fraud in relation to 3AAA and enquiries are ongoing.”